Letter: Why Amarillo will miss Bill Sumerford

Regarding the recent Amarillo Globe-News editorial about Bill Sumerford (Editorial: An example of how politics should be, Aug. 3, amarillo.com.), my dad first came through Amarillo with his dad in a covered wagon on the way to New Mexico.

During dad’s lifetime he saw the amazing technology of the 20th century.

The development of cars, airplanes, the telephone, the automatic washing machine, radio and television were all part of that era. When I told dad we needed to buy a computer for our business, he had a pained look on his face. It was a big step for him because he did not want a computer, but we did it.

After operating on floppy disks, we bought a hard-drive which was about the size of a small suitcase.

In that era looking for a job was “pounding the pavement” going from one business to another. Now many businesses will not take a job application if it is not on the computer. What do you do if you are just out of the service or just out of prison and need a job?

Bill Sumerford wanted to help those people, and his training in information technology allowed him to do it. He had a servant’s heart and wanted to help veterans and those just out of prison to find a job.

Bill put out the word that he needed discarded computers. At his own expense, Bill would refurbish the old computers and donate them to people in need. These old computers did not have all the “bells and whistles” of a new computer, but they got the job done.

In addition to Bill’s interest in politics he blessed many people with his expertise.

Many people, as well as myself, will miss Bill’s dynamic personality and his service to those in need.